Spring structure



March 5, 1935; G. A. STACKHOUSE l 993,188 SPRING STRUCTURE p z Filed June 20, 1954 INVENTOR.

W y WWW ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,993,188 SPRING STRUCTURE George A. Stackhouse, Oakland, Calif., assignor to L. A. Young Spring and Wire Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

The main objects of this invention are:

' First, to provide an improved spring structure for cushions and the like, wherein the individual coils are free to work independently, the terminal 5 coils of the springs being connected by helical tie members.

Second, to provide a cushion spring structure in which the body springs are efiectively supported in spaced non-contacting relation, thereby preventing noises incident to engagement of adjacent springs.

Third, to provide a spring structure of this character which is simple and economical in its parts, which can be readily assembled, and which is eflicient and effective in operation.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a cushion filler or spring unit embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the body springs.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a body spring embodying a slight modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawing, 1 indicates a spring cushion unit as a whole, the cushion unit illustrated being designed for furniture or upholstery, but it will be understood that my improvements may be embodied in mattress fillers, automobile seat cushions, or the like, and the structure illustrated is shown on account of its size and convenience in illustration.

The coiled body springs 2, which are preferably of the so-called hourglass type, are arranged in rows running in both directions, the corresponding springs of the rows being in transverse alinement. The body springs have their terminal coils 3 provided at one end at least, but preferably at both ends in a unit such as illustrated, with a pair of straight portions 4 and 5 arranged at right angles to each other and inturned corner offsets 6, the arms 7, 7 of which in the embodiment illustrated form right angles with each other and with the straight portions.

I arrange the springs in spaced relation, with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, as shown, the corner oflsets of the springs in each quadrant or quarter of the spring structure facing the corner of that quadrant or quarter. Thus, the straight portions 4 and are adapted to receive the transverse and longitudinal helical tie members 8 and 9 respectively, the tie members being interconnected at 5 their crossings 10 within the spring structure.

In this construction, each body spring is adapted to work independently, thereby eliminating friction and so-called grind, the terminal coils I being connected only by the helical tie members. 10 Furthermore, my spring structure can be quickly assembled owing to the elimination of obstructions to the movement of the helical'tie members in being threaded on the straight portions of the v terminal coils. The arrangement of the corner offsets in my construction permits the interweaving of the helical tie members at their crossing points and results in a very superior cushion.

The ofisets provide shoulders which are engaged by coils of the helical tie members, thereby very efiectively positioning the springs. With this arrangement of parts, the springs cannot shift their position but are free to yield in use.

In Fig. 4, I show a coiled spring 12 having each of its terminal coils 13 provided with a pair of straight portions 14 and 15 arranged at right angles to each other, and inturned corner offsets 16 the arms 17, 17 of which form right angles with each other and with the straight portions. In this respect, the coiled body spring of the modification is the same as the coiled body springs described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. However, the modification differs from the first described construction in that the terminal coils 13 are further provided with straight portions 18 and 19 arranged in parallel relation to the portions 15 and 14 respectively. In'some cases, this construction is preferred.

Apparatus for assembling my spring structure is disclosed by my applications, Serial No. 731,420, filed June 20, 1934, for Spring assembling apparatus, and Serial No. 731,421, filed June 20, 1934, for Spring assembly appliances.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled bodysprings arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having their terminal coils each provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other, and inturned corner oilsets the arms of which form right angles with each other and with said straight portions, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, the comer oifsets of the springs in each quadrant of the spring structure facing the corner of that quadrant, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members receiving the straight portions of said terminal coils, the tie members being interconnected at their crossings within the spring structure.

2. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having their terminal coils each provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other, and inturned corner oil'sets the arms of which form right angles with each other and with said straight portions, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members receiving the straight portions of said terminal coils, the tie members being interconnected at their crossings.

3. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having their terminal coils each provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other, and inturned corner oil'sets, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, the corner offsets of the springs in each quadrant of the spring structure facing the corner of that quadrant, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members receiving the straight portions of said terminal coils, the tie members being interconnected at their crossings within the spring structure.

4. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs -of the rows in transverse alinement and having their terminal coils each provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other, and inturned corner oil'sets, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members receiving the straight portions of said terminal coils, the tie members being interconnected at their crossings.

5. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having terminal coils provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other, and inturned corner oil'sets in said angles, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, the corner oiisets of the springs in each quadrant of the spring structure facing the corner of the spring structure in that quadrant, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members receiving the straight portions of said terminal coils.

6. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having terminal coils each provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other, and inward corner oiIsets, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with the corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members receiving straight portions of said terminal coils, the tie members being interconnected at their crossings.

7. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having terminal coils at one end thereof provided with straight portions arranged at right angles to each other with inward angular oifsets joining said straight portions, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, and transverse and longtudinal helical tie members engaging the straight portions of said terminal coils.

8. In a spring structure, the combination of coiled body springs arranged in rows with the springs of the rows in transverse alinement and having terminal coils at one end thereof provided with straight portions arranged at angles to each other with inward oflsets joining said straight portions, the springs being arranged in spaced relation with corresponding straight portions of their terminal coils in alinement, and transverse and longitudinal helical tie members e aging the straight portions of said terminal coils.

GEORGE A. STACKHOUSE. 

